21/01/2009

Sarah Bolger (actress, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Tudors), Lance Daly (Writer/Director, Kisses [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Michael Fassbender (actor, Hunger [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Laura Hastings-Smith Rob…
interview: Steve McQueen
film profile]) and Enda Walsh (writer, Hunger) are the nominees for the 2009 Rising Star Award as announced by the Irish Film Board (IFB) and the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) today. The winners of which will be announced at the IFTAs on February 14.

Saoirse Ronan, winner of the 2008 Rising Star Award, is up for two IFTA Awards for her roles in City of Ember and Death Defying Acts [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. In addition to the Rising Star nods, all the nominees will vie for IFTAs in their respective disciples this year. In addition, Bolger has also been chosen as Ireland’s Shooting Star at the Berlin Film Festival.

IFB CEO Simon Perry said, “Nurturing new talent is a key objective of the Irish Film Board and the Rising Star Award acts as an excellent showcase of talent both in front of and behind the camera. This year’s nominees have all broken through in significant films and we are delighted to see their talent and recent achievements recognised in the award.”

IFTA CEO Aine Moriarty said, “This important award puts the spotlight on great Irish talent making a significant mark in the film industry at large. These four exciting Irish stars have shown themselves to be world class talents in their respective fields and I have no doubt that they will be counted among the wealth of leading Irish talents over the coming years. IFTA is proud to put the international spotlight on Ireland’s Rising Stars and acknowledges the Irish Film Board’s ongoing support of new Irish industry talent.”